LD50

New Member
Joined
May 20, 2020
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Michigan
Country
United States
I have a 2020 Ford Escape - Titanium. I currently have my Thinkware U1000 (front and rear camera) system hardwired with a BlackVue B-124X battery. The cameras receive power without issue while parked. However, the vehicle's modem powers off, which prevents me from viewing the vehicle's camera system while parked. I am not sure, but I think the modem is embedded with the Telematics Control Unit Module. The service provider is AT&T. I know the fuse for the module is #11 (5amp) under the glove box, but this fuse is also used for the power liftgate and hands-free liftgate actuation module. I am wondering if I should hardwire to this fuse (probably with a battery expansion) to power the modem as well as the camera.
 
Auto manufacturers purposely auto power down your hot spot to keep from draining the battery. The dashcams with constant connection you supply the sim and data plan. I believe BlackVue currently have a couple that will run of of sim and your battery pack. The BlackVue DR750X and DR900X Series came to mind as they have the ability to ad the CM100 LTE Connectivity and their was the DR750 LTE.
.
 
Last edited:
I have a 2020 Ford Escape - Titanium. I currently have my Thinkware U1000 (front and rear camera) system hardwired with a BlackVue B-124X battery. The cameras receive power without issue while parked. However, the vehicle's modem powers off, which prevents me from viewing the vehicle's camera system while parked. I am not sure, but I think the modem is embedded with the Telematics Control Unit Module. The service provider is AT&T. I know the fuse for the module is #11 (5amp) under the glove box, but this fuse is also used for the power liftgate and hands-free liftgate actuation module. I am wondering if I should hardwire to this fuse (probably with a battery expansion) to power the modem as well as the camera.

I learned the same lesson with my brand-new Dodge Durango when installing my BlackVue DR900X cam.

Do what you describe and cause any electrical issue in your new vehicle and your warranty is null and void. Don't do it.

@dlbrummels is spot on: Manufacturers do this on purpose so they can't be held liable if the hotspot kills your battery and something bad happens to you because you couldn't get your vehicle going.

If you want wifi connectivity for using a cam's parking mode, you'll need a battery-powered aftermarket vehicle hotspot plugged into an outlet that will charge it when the vehicle's running.

Personally, I don't know why manufacturers don't wire in some sort of voltage/time cutouts for battery protection like high-end cams have. Not enough complaints/demand, I suppose.
 
Well, the main issue is that everytime an auto manufacturer adds 1 more item to the list of features, there is an extra chance of failure or conflict.

I like the idea of using an aftermarket hotspot instead of the car's wifi access point. It is best to keep the car's electronics separate from the dashcam.
 
Well, the main issue is that everytime an auto manufacturer adds 1 more item to the list of features, there is an extra chance of failure or conflict.

I like the idea of using an aftermarket hotspot instead of the car's wifi access point. It is best to keep the car's electronics separate from the dashcam.
That's easy here, the Thinkware never connects to my cars hotspot, just the phone's hotspot. I let the Escort Live run off of the cars hotspot.

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top